Musical reed



(No Medel.)

G. IL BRAMHALL.

MUSICAL REED.

No. 321.882, Patented July 7, 1885.

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Mang/#14 UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

CHARLES E. -BRAMHALL7 OF BOSTGN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MUSICAL REED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,882, dated July 7, 1885.

Application filed March 24, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLEs E. BRAM- HiiLL, of Boston, (Cambridge) in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Reeds, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. v

rlhis invention relates to the construction of reeds for musical instruments, more especially such reeds as are used-in reed-organs; and the invention consists in a novel method of attaching and securing the tongue of a musical reed to its block, all substantially as hereinafter fully described, reference being had to the accompanying` plate of drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of a musical reed for a reed-organ having its tongue secured to its block according to this invention. Fig, 2 is a plan view of the reed-block prepared tor the tongue to be attached thereto.. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. 41s a section on line 4 4, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the tongue in Figs. 1 to 4 is formed. Fig. 6 is a side View of the tongue'ready for attachment to 'a reedblock. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, but showing a modification. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a blank for a tongue, showing a modification. Fig. 1() is a side View of a tongue prepared from the blank shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 1l is a side view of a tongue prepared for attachment to a reedblock, showing a modification. Fig. 12' is a view in cross-section on line 12 12 Fig. 7. Fig. 18 is a view in cross-section similar to Fig. 12, showing a modification; and Fig. 14 is a view in cross-section similar to Fig. 4, showing a modification. Fig. 15 is a plan view of a reed-block similar to Fig. 2, showing a modiiication in the manner of attaching the tongue. Fig. 16 is a plan view of a tongue when secured to a reed-block, shown in Fig.

15; and Fig. 17 is a plan View. of a blank from which the tongue shown in Fig. 16 is formed.

In the drawings, A represents a musical reed for use more particularly in reed-organs, of which B is the block, having the usual opening, C, for the tongue D and all constructed and arranged for operation as usual in such reeds, except as to this invention.. The tongue D is made, as usual, of brass, or of suitable material, and is iirst formed in any suitable manner from such material in blank form, as shown in Fig. 5 in plan view, with extensions or prongs a projecting one from each side at its heel b. The extensions or prongs a are then bent downward or at right angles to the face d into the position shown in cross-section in Fig. 4 and in side View in Fig. 6.

In the rear end or heel, f, of the block B, a short distance back of the toiigue-opening C, are cut or punched through the metal of which the block is made, in any suitable maiiner, two longitudinal slots or openings, g, which extend in lines parallel, or substan. tially parallel, with each other and with the sides ofthe opening C. These slots or open ings in theirv length and width correspond, respectively, with the width and thickness of the prongs a of the tongue, and are the same distance from each other the prongs are after being bent, as described.

The tongue D is then attached to the block B by inserting in the slots g the extensions or prongs a (the free end h of the tongue being over the opening C, as usual) and iirmlyprcssing the heel portion down close to the block. The ends Z of the prongs a are riveted on its under side.

More than one prong a can be made on each side of the tongue, as shown in Fig. 11, which shows a tongue having two prongs on each side, and in such case the two prongs on one side of the tongue can be inserted in one slot, g, long enough for the two, or a slot can be made 'for each prong.

The slots or openings g, in lieu of being made at the central portion of the heel f of the block, as shown in Fig. 2, can be cut, one at each edge, as shown in Figs. 7, 8, 12, and 13, and the prongs of the tongue, when inserted therein,secured as before 5 or the prongs can be of a length sufficient to be turned or bent on the under side of the block toward each other, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 12,when the slots are made in the central portion; also, the ends of the slots g,when cut in the edges of the block, can be cut beveling or of dovetail form from the edges of the block, as shown at m in Fig. 8; also, the sides of each slot or opening g can be eut under or inclined toward the other slot or opening from the top surface of the block, making a dovetail joint, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 13, or in the ICC reverse direction or from each other.

The slots g, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, can also be so cut under or in dovetail form, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 14. Such an under or dovetail cut serves, as is obvious, to increase the firmness and security of the tongue to its block. The tongue can extend beyond the prongs, as shown at q in Fig. 9.

Each prong can be bent at an angle to the central longitudinal line of the tongue, as shown in Fig. 16, which is a plan view of a tongue having its prongs so bent, the slots g in the block being cut correspondingly, as shown in Fig. 15. The angle, however, can bein the reverse direction. Any ofthe prongs can be curved across their width in lieu of being straight, the slots g in the block being correspondingly curved.

rlhe tongue, when its extensions or prongs are inserted in their respective slots, can be secured by soldering them in lieu of riveting them; but riveting is preferable, and also prefA erable to turning them under, as shown in Fig. 12, as the reeds will pack closer together, to put them away or for transportation.

It is not intended to limit this invention to anyparticular manner in which the tongue by its prongs can be secured to the reed-block.

Attaching and securing the tongue of a musical reed to its block, substantially in the manner herein described and shown,has many advantages, among which may be mentioned the following: It makes a close, firm, and rigid connection between the two, obviating all liability to a vibration or jar of the rear of the heel end of the tongue on the block, as is often the case with reeds having their tongues sccured by a center rivet. The upper and lower surfaces are both flat and smooth,enabling the reeds to be more closely and conipactly packed. It is simple, cheap in construction, neat in appearance, and practical and durable.

Having thus described inyinvcntion, what l claim is- 1. A reed for musical instruments having its block provided with slots or openings f/ in its heel portion, and its tongue provided with extensions or prongs a and bent at an angle to its surface, which extensions or prongs are inserted and secured in their respective slots or openings in said block, for the purpose specified.

2. A reed for musical instruments having` its block provided with slots or openings y in its heel portion, and its tongue provided with extensions or prongs aand bent at an angle to its surface, which extensions or prongs are inserted and riveted in their respective slots or openings in said block, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence ol' two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. BRAMHALL.

XVitnesscs:

EDWIN XV. BROWN, XVM. S. BELLows. 

